Lesson 6 The Pilgrims Suffer at the Vanity Fair

Lesson 6

The Pilgrims Suffer at the Vanity Fair (12)

Evangelist warned the pilgrims of a difficult time to come in Vanity Fair.  Christian and Faithful are easily identified as different at the Fair and are persecuted for their pursuit of Truth.  They are put on trial by the ungodly men of Vanity Fair and a verdict is rendered against Faithful.

1.       Bunyan describes the merchandise sold at this fair by listing many items.  What are some of these items, and what types of sins do they represent?

2.       How are Christians today caught up in these same types of sin?

3.       Explain the meaning of this sentence: “But as in other fairs, some one commodity is as the chief of all the fair, so the ware of Rome and her merchandize is greatly promoted in this Fair: Only our English nation, with some others, have taken a dislike thereat.”

4.       Has there ever been an incident in your life like Christian and Faithful’s experience when the people of Vanity Fair “took them and beat them and besmeared them with dirt and then put them into a Cage, that they might be made a Spectacle to all the men of the Fair”?

5.       (Whyte, First Series Bunyan Characters p195) “If you lay your ear close enough to your own heart, you will sometimes hear something of that same hiss with which that human serpent sentenced to torture to death the men and women who would not submit to his command.  The same savage laughter also will sometimes all but escape your lips as you think of how your enemy has been made to suffer… the very same hell-broth … is in all our hearts also”.  Are there any areas of your own heart that resemble the character of Judge Hate-Good?

6.       After reading the names of the jurors, what did you think the verdict would be for Faithful?  Have you ever acted like any of the jurors?  Which one (or ones) and how?

7.       Were there any parts, themes, or people in this section that you did not understand? 

Lesson 6 Summary

The view we have had thus far of our pilgrim’s journey in this allegory has centered on the secret internal spiritual conflicts of the soul.  We now enter Vanity Fair, which represents the various external conflicts a Christian must face.  The seductive allurements of this world are presented in a tangible, visible form, and we see how real pilgrims conduct themselves among the various temptations of this fair.

“So the ware of Rome and her merchandise is greatly promoted in the fair” is a reference to the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.  Remembering how recent the Reformation was in our author’s time will help us to understand this statement.  He declares that the merchandise (doctrine) of this church is “greatly promoted in this fair.”  And what a proud, unscriptural doctrine it is that barters with God and presumes to purchase entrance into heaven by good works and obedience, thus meriting heaven and justification and so exalting man and debasing the gracious work, glory, and honor of Christ.  How sad is it that these wares of Rome are still being sold!

Those who have nothing in their lives to distinguish them from the rest of the world have no reason to conclude that they are new creatures in Christ.

Christian and Faithful cause the town to be in a hubbub, for they are clothed in different rainment (Christ’s robes of righteousness), their speech is the language of Canaan (spiritual conversation), and they are unimpressed by the wares of the fair.

Christian and Faithful are dragged off by the men of Vanity Fair, who are astonished and indignant at the disinterest the pilgrims show to worldly things.  As the two are examined and declare their principles, the rage of the men of the fair is only increased and Christian and Faithful are beaten and then placed in a cage.  Though beaten and despised, they do not lose heart, for their attitude is that which Luther had when he said: “Joy in the Lord is more injurious to Satan’s empire than anything.  Come, let us sing a psalm and spite the devil”

After a time, Christian and Faithful are brought forth to stand trial.  Bunyan no doubt was well acquainted with such trials from his own life and times.  The indictment was as follows: “That they were enemies to, and disturbers of their trade: that they had made commotions and divisions in the town, and had won a party to their own most dangerous opinions, in contempt of the law of their prince.”  Could such an indictment be brought against you?

Judge Hate-Good’s court illustrates that the more godly Christians are, the more they will be hated for it.

Judge Hate-Good instructs the jury regarding cases of the past and the anti-Christian precedents they  have set.  From the names of the jurors, it is easy to guess the verdict.  May we also be convicted of the same crimes as those Faithful committed and receive a verdict such as is worthy of true pilgrims.

Faithful’s ordeal was not in vain, for “the martyrdom of Faithful had kindled a light in Vanity Fair that would not easily be put out, and many there were  that by his example would themselves, as Hopeful did, become pilgrims. 

Faithful’s sure, eternal reward awaits him as a chariot whisks him off to the Celestial Gate  to meet the king under whose banner he has so valiantly served.